Identifying complimentary physical components to known physical components

ABSTRACT

An approach is provided that captures a digital image of an object that has a number of facets. The approach further determines the actual sizes of various facets found on the object. The actual sizes of the facets are used to identify compatible objects based, with the compatible objects being objects that can work with the object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

This disclosure relates to identifying complimentary physicalcomponents, such as home improvement hardware, based on digital imagesof known physical components.

Description of Related Art

Home improvement projects are often performed by amateurs that lack thenecessary tools for the job. In many cases, these amateurs also lack theknowledge to identify which tools would be appropriate to purchase.Non-expert home repair projects can go over budget or get behindschedule due to accidental purchase of incorrect or incompatible tools.One source of error stems from difficulties of non-experts todistinguish fine variations in sizes between many similar tools (e.g.screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.). It would be useful for to use a mobiledevice to assist in this endeavor, however existing mobile technologiesfor measuring items are not sufficiently precise at the small scale ofhand tools and fasteners. Moreover, traditional systems fail to identifytools or compatible hardware useful to work with hardware found byamateur “do it yourselfers” when addressing home project needs andrequirements.

SUMMARY

An approach is provided that captures a digital image of an object thathas a number of facets. The approach further determines the actual sizesof various facets found on the object. The actual sizes of the facetsare used to identify compatible objects based, with the compatibleobjects being objects that can work with the object.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forthbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a processor and components of aninformation handling system;

FIG. 2 is a network environment that includes various types ofinformation handling systems interconnected via a computer network;

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a digital camera capturing images of aphysical object and various processes acting on the object;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing steps taken by a process that performs ananalysis of the physical object to determine an object's size andidentify metadata pertaining to the physical object;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing steps taken by a process that identifies aclass of objects to which the physical object belongs;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing steps taken to identify tools andcompatible parts that correspond to the physical object;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing steps that identifies replacement objectscorresponding to the physical object that is of interest to the user;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing steps taken that identifies compatibleobjects corresponding to the physical object that is of interest to theuser;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing steps that identifies tools correspondingto the physical object that is of interest to the user; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing steps taken by the user interface toorder parts and tools corresponding to the physical object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-10 show an approach for identifying necessary tools andcomponents using a mobile device. In one embodiment, the approachincludes first taking a digital photograph or image the physical objectthat is of interest to the user, such as by using a digital cameraincluded in a smart phone. Next, the approach identifies the boundariesof the physical object to be measured. The approach can also determinewhether there is a reference object included in the digital image forsizing purposes. The approach determines the physical size, ormeasurements, of the physical object utilizing the reference object dataif provided. The approach next determines whether the object belongs toa fixed set of classes, such as a screw, bolt, nut, etc. Based on thedata gathered, the approach identifies one or more appropriatereplacement objects, such as those that might be available from anonline merchant. The approach can also identify compatible tools fromthe online merchant, such as a particular wrench or tool used tomanipulate or engage the physical object.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like,and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The following detailed description will generally follow the summary ofthe invention, as set forth above, further explaining and expanding thedefinitions of the various aspects and embodiments of the invention asnecessary. To this end, this detailed description first sets forth acomputing environment in FIG. 1 that is suitable to implement thesoftware and/or hardware techniques associated with the invention. Anetworked environment is illustrated in FIG. 2 as an extension of thebasic computing environment, to emphasize that modern computingtechniques can be performed across multiple discrete devices.

FIG. 1 illustrates information handling system 100, which is asimplified example of a computer system capable of performing thecomputing operations described herein. Information handling system 100includes one or more processors 110 coupled to processor interface bus112. Processor interface bus 112 connects processors 110 to Northbridge115, which is also known as the Memory Controller Hub (MCH). Northbridge115 connects to system memory 120 and provides a means for processor(s)110 to access the system memory. Graphics controller 125 also connectsto Northbridge 115. In one embodiment, PCI Express bus 118 connectsNorthbridge 115 to graphics controller 125. Graphics controller 125connects to display device 130, such as a computer monitor.

Northbridge 115 and Southbridge 135 connect to each other using bus 119.In one embodiment, the bus is a Direct Media Interface (DMI) bus thattransfers data at high speeds in each direction between Northbridge 115and Southbridge 135. In another embodiment, a Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus connects the Northbridge and the Southbridge.Southbridge 135, also known as the I/O Controller Hub (ICH) is a chipthat generally implements capabilities that operate at slower speedsthan the capabilities provided by the Northbridge. Southbridge 135typically provides various busses used to connect various components.These busses include, for example, PCI and PCI Express busses, an ISAbus, a System Management Bus (SMBus or SMB), and/or a Low Pin Count(LPC) bus. The LPC bus often connects low-bandwidth devices, such asboot ROM 196 and “legacy” I/O devices (using a “super I/O” chip). The“legacy” I/O devices (198) can include, for example, serial and parallelports, keyboard, mouse, and/or a floppy disk controller. The LPC busalso connects Southbridge 135 to Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 195.Other components often included in Southbridge 135 include a DirectMemory Access (DMA) controller, a Programmable Interrupt Controller(PIC), and a storage device controller, which connects Southbridge 135to nonvolatile storage device 185, such as a hard disk drive, using bus184.

ExpressCard 155 is a slot that connects hot-pluggable devices to theinformation handling system. ExpressCard 155 supports both PCI Expressand USB connectivity as it connects to Southbridge 135 using both theUniversal Serial Bus (USB) the PCI Express bus. Southbridge 135 includesUSB Controller 140 that provides USB connectivity to devices thatconnect to the USB. These devices include webcam (camera) 150, infrared(IR) receiver 148, keyboard and trackpad 144, and Bluetooth device 146,which provides for wireless personal area networks (PANs). USBController 140 also provides USB connectivity to other miscellaneous USBconnected devices 142, such as a mouse, removable nonvolatile storagedevice 145, modems, network cards, ISDN connectors, fax, printers, USBhubs, and many other types of USB connected devices. While removablenonvolatile storage device 145 is shown as a USB-connected device,removable nonvolatile storage device 145 could be connected using adifferent interface, such as a Firewire interface, etcetera.

Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) device 175 connects to Southbridge 135via the PCI or PCI Express bus 172. LAN device 175 typically implementsone of the IEEE 0.802.11 standards of over-the-air modulation techniquesthat all use the same protocol to wireless communicate betweeninformation handling system 100 and another computer system or device.Optical storage device 190 connects to Southbridge 135 using Serial ATA(SATA) bus 188. Serial ATA adapters and devices communicate over ahigh-speed serial link. The Serial ATA bus also connects Southbridge 135to other forms of storage devices, such as hard disk drives. Audiocircuitry 160, such as a sound card, connects to Southbridge 135 via bus158. Audio circuitry 160 also provides functionality such as audioline-in and optical digital audio in port 162, optical digital outputand headphone jack 164, internal speakers 166, and internal microphone168. Ethernet controller 170 connects to Southbridge 135 using a bus,such as the PCI or PCI Express bus. Ethernet controller 170 connectsinformation handling system 100 to a computer network, such as a LocalArea Network (LAN), the Internet, and other public and private computernetworks.

While FIG. 1 shows one information handling system, an informationhandling system may take many forms. For example, an informationhandling system may take the form of a desktop, server, portable,laptop, notebook, or other form factor computer or data processingsystem. In addition, an information handling system may take other formfactors such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, ATMmachine, a portable telephone device, a communication device or otherdevices that include a processor and memory.

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM 195) shown in FIG. 1 and describedherein to provide security functions is but one example of a hardwaresecurity module (HSM). Therefore, the TPM described and claimed hereinincludes any type of HSM including, but not limited to, hardwaresecurity devices that conform to the Trusted Computing Groups (TCG)standard, and entitled “Trusted Platform Module (TPM) SpecificationVersion 1.2.” The TPM is a hardware security subsystem that may beincorporated into any number of information handling systems, such asthose outlined in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 provides an extension of the information handling systemenvironment shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate that the methods describedherein can be performed on a wide variety of information handlingsystems that operate in a networked environment. Types of informationhandling systems range from small handheld devices, such as handheldcomputer/mobile telephone 210 to large mainframe systems, such asmainframe computer 270. Examples of handheld computer 210 includepersonal digital assistants (PDAs), personal entertainment devices, suchas MP3 players, portable televisions, and compact disc players. Otherexamples of information handling systems include pen, or tablet,computer 220, laptop, or notebook, computer 230, workstation 240,personal computer system 250, and server 260. Other types of informationhandling systems that are not individually shown in FIG. 2 arerepresented by information handling system 280. As shown, the variousinformation handling systems can be networked together using computernetwork 200. Types of computer network that can be used to interconnectthe various information handling systems include Local Area Networks(LANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), the Internet, the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), other wireless networks, and anyother network topology that can be used to interconnect the informationhandling systems. Many of the information handling systems includenonvolatile data stores, such as hard drives and/or nonvolatile memory.Some of the information handling systems shown in FIG. 2 depictsseparate nonvolatile data stores (server 260 utilizes nonvolatile datastore 265, mainframe computer 270 utilizes nonvolatile data store 275,and information handling system 280 utilizes nonvolatile data store285). The nonvolatile data store can be a component that is external tothe various information handling systems or can be internal to one ofthe information handling systems. In addition, removable nonvolatilestorage device 145 can be shared among two or more information handlingsystems using various techniques, such as connecting the removablenonvolatile storage device 145 to a USB port or other connector of theinformation handling systems.

FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a digital camera capturing images of aphysical object and various processes acting on the object. Digitalcamera 300 is any camera that can record and store digital images.Digital camera 300 may be integrated into another device, such as asmart phone. Digital camera 300 captures a digital image of object 310,such as a hardware object like a bolt, nut, screw, fastener, or thelike. Object 310 has any number of facets, such as the facets found onthe head of a bolt, the facets found on a nut, screw, or other type offastener or other hardware object. In addition, digital camera 300 mayalso capture the image of reference object 320. Reference object 320 isan object with a known size and shape, such as a portion of a ruler, acoin, or the like.

The digital image captured by digital camera 300 is stored in memoryarea 330, such as memory found in digital camera 300 or memory found ina separate device, such as a stand-alone memory or separate informationhandling system. The approach provided herein performs various processesutilizing digital image 330. Object analysis process 340 analyzes thedigital image of hardware object 310 that is stored in memory area 330and generates various metadata pertaining to the object. The object'smetadata is stored in memory area 350. If a reference object is includedin digital image 330, then object analysis process 340 utilizes theknown size data from the reference object to improve the object metadatastored in memory area 350.

Identification of tools and compatible parts process 360 analyzes theobject metadata that was gathered by process 340 in order to identifycompatible tools and parts pertaining to the object. These compatibletools and parts are stored in memory area 370. For example, if theobject is a bolt of a particular size, then compatible tools wouldinclude wrenches and sockets that are compatible with the size of thehead on the bolt. Likewise, compatible parts would include nuts that arecompatible with the diameter of the bolt as well as being compatiblewith the thread angle and spacing on the bolt. Other compatible partsmight also include different types of nuts (e.g., standard nuts, locknuts, etc.) and other compatible objects, such as washers, lock washers,and the like.

User interface 380 is an interface provided to user 390 to view thecompatible tools and parts that were identified and stored in memoryarea 370 along with descriptions of such compatible tools and parts(e.g., part descriptions, size details, etc.). Additionally, userinterface 380 also provides user 390 with the ability to order anynumber of the compatible tools and parts from online merchants. Becausedigital camera 300 can be a digital camera integrated with the user'ssmart phone, all of the processes can be performed at the user's smartphone or at online sites with such sites returning analysis data to theuser's smart phone. In this manner, the user can take a digital image ofa part of interest, such as a bolt, run the processes described herein,and view the results in user interface 380 on the user's smart phonedisplay. The user can then order any needed tools and compatible partsfrom an online merchant or can shop at a traditional store, such as ahardware store, and easily find the tools and compatible parts needed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing steps taken by a process that performs ananalysis of the physical object to determine an object's size andidentify metadata pertaining to the physical object. FIG. 4 processingcommences at 400 and shows the steps taken by a process that analyzesthe object of interest to the user that was captured by the user'sdigital camera. At step 405, the process identifies boundaries of theobject in the image that is stored in memory area 330, with the objectbeing an item such as a bolt or other hardware item with any number offacets. At step 410, the process identifies whether any reference objectis included in the digital image. Examples of reference objects mightinclude a coin, a ruler, or any reference object that has a known sizeand shape.

The process determines as to whether a reference object was included inthe digital image (decision 415). If a reference object was included inthe digital image, then decision 415 branches to the ‘yes’ branch toperform steps 420 through 430. On the other hand, if a reference objectwas not included in the digital image, then decision 415 branches to the‘no’ branch to perform step 435. If a reference object was included inthe digital image then steps 420 and 430 are performed. At step 420, theprocess retrieves actual size data corresponding to the referenceobject, such as the actual size of a particular coin, such as a penny,etc. The actual size data of known objects is retrieved from data store425. At step 430, the process compares the size of the object to theretrieved size of the reference object and extrapolates the actualobject size based on this comparison. The actual size data of the objectis stored in memory area 440 and can also include the size of variousfacets found on the object, such as the head on a bolt, the distancebetween threads, and the like. If a reference object was not included inthe digital image, then step 435 is performed. At step 435, the processdetermines the actual size of the object using the digital camerasettings to approximate the distance from the lens to the object as wellas the actual object size based by the distance from the lens to theobject. The actual size data of the object is stored in memory area 440and can also include the size of various facets found on the object,such as the head on a bolt, the distance between threads, and the like.

At step 445, the process determines the object dimensions (length,width, depth, etc.) from object size data. The object dimensions arestored in memory area 450 and also include dimensions of the variousfacets (e.g., sides, threads, etc.) found on the object. At step 455,the process gathers observable object metadata, such as threads, objecthead, aperture size, point-type, geometric shape (hexagon nut, etc.),hinge data, material (plastic, steel, etc.), plate dimensions, and thelike. Step 455 retrieves object dimension data from memory area 450 andprocesses the object that was captured and stored in memory area 330.The resulting object metadata is stored in memory area 460.

At predefined process 465, the process performs the Identify ObjectClass routine (see FIG. 5 and corresponding text for processingdetails). This routine analyzes the object metadata that was stored inmemory area 460 and, if an object class is found, stores the objectclass in memory area 470. In one embodiment, an object class is acharacteristic, or trait, common to many similar objects, such as bolts,screws, nuts, and the like. FIG. 4 processing thereafter returns to thecalling routine (see FIG. 3) at 495.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing steps taken by a process that identifies aclass of objects to which the physical object belongs. FIG. 5 processingcommences at 500 and shows the steps taken by a process that identifiesthe object class of an object of interest to the user. The object class,when found, allows the process to focus on particular types of tools andcompatible objects. For example, if the object class is found to be a“bolt,” then tools known to operate on this class of objects, such aswrenches and sockets, are of focus along with compatible object classessuch as nuts and washers that are compatible with the object. At step505, the process selects the first object class from data store 510. Atstep 515, the process selects the first set of metadata for the selectedobject class. The class reference metadata is retrieved from data store520. For example, the metadata might be that the object class hasthreads, is pointed, etc. At step 525, the process compares thecurrently selected object class metadata with the actual object'smetadata that is retrieved from memory area 460.

The process determines as to whether the object's metadata matches theselected class reference metadata (decision 530). If the object'smetadata matches the selected class reference metadata, then decision530 branches to the ‘yes’ branch to process the match. On the otherhand, if the object's metadata does not match the selected classreference metadata, then decision 530 branches to the ‘no’ branch tocontinue searching other object classes. If the object's metadatamatches the selected class reference metadata, then the processdetermines whether there are more class metadata that need to beprocessed (decision 535). If more class metadata need to be processed,then decision 535 branches to the ‘yes’ branch which loops back toselect the next set of class reference metadata and compare it to theobject's metadata. This looping continues until there is no more classreference metadata to process, indicating that the class is a possibleclass to which the object belongs, at which point decision 535 branchesto the ‘no’ branch whereupon. at step 540, the process adds the selectedobject class as a possible class for this object with the object classbeing stored in memory area 545.

The process determines as to whether there are more object classes toprocess (decision 550). If there are more object classes to process,then decision 550 branches to the ‘yes’ branch which loops back to step505 to select and process the next object class as described above. Thislooping continues until there are no more object classes to process, atwhich point decision 550 branches to the ‘no’ branch exiting the loop.The process determines as to whether there are any possible objectclasses to which the object belongs (decision 555). If there are anypossible object classes to which the object belongs, then decision 555branches to the ‘yes’ branch whereupon, at step 560, the process selectsthe object class with metadata that most closely matches the metadata ofthis object and the object class is stored in memory area 470. On theother hand, if memory area 545 is empty, then decision 555 branches tothe ‘no’ branch whereupon, At step 565, the process notes that theobject is class-less and does not belong to a defined object class. FIG.5 processing thereafter returns to the calling routine (see FIG. 4) at595.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing steps taken to identify tools andcompatible parts that correspond to the physical object. FIG. 6processing commences at 600 and shows the steps taken by a process thatidentifies of tools and compatible parts for the object that is ofinterest to the user. At step 605, the process retrieves object'sdetermined class from memory area 470. The process next determineswhether the object is a member of a known object class, such as bolts,fasteners, etc. (decision 610). If the object is a member of a knownobject class, then decision 610 branches to the ‘yes’ branch to performstep 615. On the other hand, if the object class-less (not a member of aknown object class), then decision 610 branches to the ‘no’ branch toperform step 620. At step 615, the process selects the object types fromsame class as the object. For example, replacement parts for a broken orworn out bolt, etc. as well as from compatible classes, such as nutswith bolts, washer with screws and/or bolts, and the like. Thereplacement types are stored in memory area 625. At step 620, since theobject is not a member of a known class, the process provides an objectdialog to the user and uses a decision tree with user inputs to identifythe object and potential object types.

At predefined process 635, the process performs the Identify ReplacementObject(s) routine (see FIG. 7 and corresponding text for processingdetails). This predefined process uses replacement types stored inmemory area 625 to identify specific replacement objects that are storedin memory area 640.

At predefined process 645, the process performs the Identify CompatibleObject(s) routine (see FIG. 8 and corresponding text for processingdetails). This predefined process takes the replacement objects storedin memory area 640 as an input to identify such compatible objects thatare then stored in memory area 650.

At predefined process 655, the process performs the Identify Tools forObjects routine (see FIG. 9 and corresponding text for processingdetails). This predefined process takes both replacement objects frommemory area 640 and compatible objects from memory area 650 to identifytools and stores identifiers of the tools that can be used with suchobjects and compatible objects in memory area 660.

At predefined process 665, the process displays a user interface (UI) toOrder Parts/Tools routine (see FIG. 10 and corresponding text forprocessing details). The user interface displays replacement objectsfrom memory area 640, compatible objects from memory area 650, andavailable tools from memory area 660 for display to the user and furtherprovides the ability for the user to purchase such items from onlinemerchants FIG. 6 processing thereafter ends at 695.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing steps that identifies replacement objectscorresponding to the physical object that is of interest to the user.FIG. 7 processing commences at 700 and shows the steps taken by aprocess that identifies replacement objects. At step 710, the processretrieves object's replacement types, such as flat head screw, carriagebolt, etc., from memory area 625. At step 720, the process retrieves theobject's size and dimension data from memory areas 440 and 450,respectively. At step 730, the process retrieves the object's metadatafrom memory area 460.

At step 740, the process searches an object database for the samereplacement type as the object that is of interest to the user, such asall flat head screws, etc. The search results are stored in memory area760. At step 770, the process searches the results stored in memory area760 for objects that have the same or substantially similar size data.These search results are stored in memory area 780. At step 790, theprocess searches the results stored in memory area 780 for those objectsthat have the same or substantially similar metadata as the object ofinterest to the user, such as the same thread count for a bolt or screw,etc. These final replacement object results are stored in memory area640 for eventual display to the user using a user interface. FIG. 7processing thereafter returns to the calling routine (see FIG. 6) at795.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing steps taken that identifies compatibleobjects corresponding to the physical object that is of interest to theuser. FIG. 8 processing commences at 800 and shows the steps taken by aprocess that identifies compatible objects to the object that is ofinterest to the user. At step 805, the process selects the firstreplacement object from memory area 640. At step 810, the processretrieves the selected replacement object's metadata from data store520.

The process determines as to whether the retrieved metadata referencesany compatible object data, such as a nut for a bolt, a washer for ascrew, etc. (decision 815). If the retrieved metadata references anycompatible object data, then decision 815 branches to the ‘yes’ branchto perform steps 820 through 865. On the other hand, if the retrievedmetadata does not reference any compatible object data, then decision815 branches to the ‘no’ branch bypassing steps 820 through 865. If theretrieved metadata references any compatible object data, then steps 820through 865 are performed. At step 820, the process selects the firstcompatible type (e.g., nut, washer, etc.). At step 825, the processretrieves metadata for the selected type from data store 520. At step830, the process retrieves the object's size and dimension data frommemory areas 440 and 450, respectively. At step 835, the processsearches object database 750 for objects with the same type as thecompatible object (e.g., all nuts, all washers, etc.). The searchresults are stored in memory area 840. At step 845, the process searchesthe results stored in memory area 840 for objects with compatible sizedata (e.g., diameter of nut, etc.). The search results are stored inmemory area 850. At step 855, the process searches the results stored inmemory area 850 for objects with the same or substantially similarmetadata (e.g., objects with the same thread count for a nut or bolt,etc.). The search results are stored in memory area 860.

The process determines as to whether there are more compatible types toprocess (decision 865). If there are more compatible types to process,then decision 865 branches to the ‘yes’ branch which loops back to step820 to select and process the next compatible type as described above.This looping continues until there are no more compatible types toprocess, at which point decision 865 branches to the ‘no’ branch exitingthe loop. The process determines as to whether there are morereplacement objects to select and process (decision 870). If there aremore replacement objects to select and process, then decision 870branches to the ‘yes’ branch which loops back to step 805 to select andprocess the next replacement object as described above. This loopingcontinues until there are no more replacement objects to select andprocess, at which point decision 870 branches to the ‘no’ branch exitingthe loop. FIG. 8 processing thereafter returns to the calling routine(see FIG. 6) at 895.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing steps that identifies tools correspondingto the physical object that is of interest to the user. FIG. 9processing commences at 900 and shows the steps taken by a process thatidentifies tools that can be used on objects of interest to the user. Atstep 910, the process selects the first replacement object from memoryarea 640. At step 920, the process searches for tools with matchingmetadata or adjustable tools, such as an adjustable wrench, that haveranges matching the object metadata. The tools and their correspondingmetadata are retrieved from data store 925. At step 930, the processretains the details of tools that match the replacement objects. Thematching tools and such tools descriptions and metadata are stored inmemory area 940. The process determines as to whether there are morereplacement objects to process (decision 950). If there are morereplacement objects to process, then decision 950 branches to the ‘yes’branch which loops back to step 910 to select and process the nextreplacement object as described above. This looping continues untilthere are no more replacement objects to process, at which pointdecision 950 branches to the ‘no’ branch exiting the loop.

At step 960, the process selects the first compatible object from memoryarea 860. At step 970, the process searches for tools with matchingmetadata or adjustable tools, such as an adjustable wrench, that haveranges matching the object metadata. The tools and their correspondingmetadata are retrieved from data store 925. At step 980, the processretains the details of tools that match the compatible objects. Thematching tools and such tools descriptions and metadata are stored inmemory area 940. The process determines as to whether there are morecompatible objects to process (decision 990). If there are morecompatible objects to process, then decision 950 branches to the ‘yes’branch which loops back to step 960 to select and process the nextcompatible object as described above. This looping continues until thereare no more compatible objects to process, at which point decision 990branches to the ‘no’ branch exiting the loop. FIG. 9 processingthereafter returns to the calling routine (see FIG. 6) at 995.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing steps taken by the user interface toorder parts and tools corresponding to the physical object. FIG. 10processing commences at 1000 and shows the steps taken by a process thatdisplays and manages a user interface (UI) that displays parts and toolsto the user and also allows the user to order such tools and parts. Atstep 1010, the process selects the first tool from memory area 940. Atstep 1020, the process displays the selected tool name and thereplacement or compatible objects on which the tool can operate, such asa wrench that can operate on a bolt or nut, etc. The data is displayedon UI Display 1030. At step 1040, the process retrieves specific toolsfrom different manufacturers that make the selected tool as well asretrieving prices for the specific tools from selected online vendors.The data is also displayed on UI Display 1030. The process determines asto whether there are more tools to select and display on the UI(decision 1050). If there are more tools to select and display on theUI, then decision 1050 branches to the ‘yes’ branch which loops back tostep 1010 to select and process the next tool as described above. Thislooping continues until there are no more tools to select and display onthe UI, at which point decision 1050 branches to the ‘no’ branch exitingthe loop.

At step 1060, the process selects the first object with the object beingeither a replacement object retrieved from memory area 640 or acompatible object retrieved from memory area 860. At step 1070, theprocess displays the selected object name, description, and any othermetadata that might be useful to the user. The data is displayed on UIDisplay 1030. At step 1080, the process retrieves specific object datafrom different manufacturers that make the selected object and alsoretrieves prices from selected online vendors. The retrieved data isdisplayed on UI Display 1030. The process determines as to whether thereare more objects to select and display on the UI (decision 1050). Ifthere are more objects to select and display on the UI, then decision1050 branches to the ‘yes’ branch which loops back to step 1060 toselect and process the next object as described above. This loopingcontinues until there are no more objects to select and display on theUI, at which point decision 1050 branches to the ‘no’ branch exiting theloop. At step 1095, the process receives the user's buying instructionsat the UI regarding the displayed tools and objects and optionallystores the displayed data and optionally such buying instructions on theuser's mobile device for in-person shopping.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that,based upon the teachings herein, that changes and modifications may bemade without departing from this invention and its broader aspects.Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope allsuch changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scopeof this invention. It will be understood by those with skill in the artthat if a specific number of an introduced claim element is intended,such intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absenceof such recitation no such limitation is present. For non-limitingexample, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claimscontain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one ormore” to introduce claim elements. However, the use of such phrasesshould not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claimelement by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particularclaim containing such introduced claim element to inventions containingonly one such element, even when the same claim includes theintroductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinitearticles such as “a” or “an”; the same holds true for the use in theclaims of definite articles.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method implemented by an information handlingsystem that includes a processor and a memory accessible by theprocessor, the method comprising: capturing a digital image of aphysical object that comprises a plurality of facets corresponding to aplurality of physical properties of the physical object; determining,based on the captured digital image, an actual size of one or more ofthe physical object's facets; identifying, from a database, one or morecompatible physical objects corresponding to the physical object basedon the actual size of the physical object's facets; and displaying theone or more compatible physical objects on a display to a user.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein at least one of the compatible physicalobjects is a compatible replacement object of the physical object, andwherein the method further comprising: identifying one or moreboundaries of the physical object from the digital image; anddistinguishing a reference object from the physical object, wherein boththe reference object and the physical object are included in the digitalimage, and wherein the reference object has a known size.
 3. The methodof claim 2 further comprising: identifying a reference image size of thereference object in the digital image; and extrapolating an image scalebased on the identified reference image size and the known size of thereference object.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:identifying an object image size of the physical object in the digitalimage; and determining the actual size of the physical object based onthe extrapolated image scale and the object image size.
 5. The method ofclaim 4 further comprising: identifying a set of object metadatapertaining to the physical object; comparing the identified set ofobject metadata to a plurality of sets of object class metadata;identifying an object class of the physical object based on thecomparing; identifying one or more compatible object types based on theidentified object class; and identifying the compatible physical objectsfrom a set of product objects belonging to the compatible object typesand based on the actual size of the physical object.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: generating a search criteria based on aselected one of the compatible physical objects; searching a data storethat includes identifiers of a plurality of component products, whereinthe searching utilizes the search criteria and results in a selected setof one or more of the plurality of component products that are adaptedto work with the physical object; displaying the selected set ofcomponent products to the user; receiving a purchase selection of one ofthe displayed component products from the user; and ordering thedisplayed component product corresponding to the received purchaseselection from a selected online merchant.
 7. The method of claim 6further comprising: receiving a price corresponding to the set ofcomponent products from a plurality of online merchants; and displayingthe price corresponding to each of the selected set of componentproducts along with the online merchant associated with the displayedprice, wherein the purchase selection includes the selected onlinemerchant.
 8. An information handling system comprising: one or moreprocessors; a memory coupled to at least one of the processors; and aset of computer program instructions stored in the memory and executedby at least one of the processors in order to perform actionscomprising: capturing a digital image of a physical object thatcomprises a plurality of facets corresponding to a plurality of physicalproperties of the physical object; determining, based on the captureddigital image, an actual size of one or more of the physical object'sfacets; identifying, from a database, one or more compatible physicalobjects corresponding to the physical object based on the actual size ofthe physical object's facets; and displaying the one or more compatiblephysical objects on a display to a user.
 9. The information handlingsystem of claim 8, wherein at least one of the compatible physicalobjects is a compatible replacement object of the physical object, andwherein the actions further comprise: identifying one or more boundariesof the physical object from the digital image; and distinguishing areference object from the physical object, wherein both the referenceobject and the physical object are included in the digital image, andwherein the reference object has a known size.
 10. The informationhandling system of claim 9 wherein the actions further comprise:identifying a reference image size of the reference object in thedigital image; and extrapolating an image scale based on the identifiedreference image size and the known size of the reference object.
 11. Theinformation handling system of claim 10 wherein the actions furthercomprise: identifying an object image size of the physical object in thedigital image; and determining the actual size of the physical objectbased on the extrapolated image scale and the object image size.
 12. Theinformation handling system of claim 11 wherein the actions furthercomprise: identifying a set of object metadata pertaining to thephysical object; comparing the identified set of object metadata to aplurality of sets of object class metadata; identifying an object classof the physical object based on the comparing; identifying one or morecompatible object types based on the identified object class; andidentifying the compatible physical objects from a set of productobjects belonging to the compatible object types and based on the actualsize of the physical object.
 13. The information handling system ofclaim 8 wherein the actions further comprise: generating a searchcriteria based on a selected one of the compatible physical objects;searching a data store that includes identifiers of a plurality ofcomponent products, wherein the searching utilizes the search criteriaand results in a selected set of one or more of the plurality ofcomponent products that are adapted to work with the physical object;displaying the selected set of component products to the user; receivinga purchase selection of one of the displayed component products from theuser; and ordering the displayed component product corresponding to thereceived purchase selection from a selected online merchant.
 14. Theinformation handling system of claim 13 wherein the actions furthercomprise: receiving a price corresponding to the set of componentproducts from a plurality of online merchants; and displaying the pricecorresponding to each of the selected set of component products alongwith the online merchant associated with the displayed price, whereinthe purchase selection includes the selected online merchant.
 15. Acomputer program product stored in a computer readable storage medium,comprising computer program code that, when executed by an informationhandling system, performs actions comprising: capturing a digital imageof a physical object that comprises a plurality of facets correspondingto a plurality of physical properties of the physical object;determining, based on the captured digital image, an actual size of oneor more of the physical object's facets; identifying, from a database,one or more compatible physical objects corresponding to the physicalobject based on the actual size of the physical object's facets; anddisplaying the one or more compatible physical objects on a display to auser.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein at least oneof the compatible physical objects is a compatible replacement object ofthe physical object, and wherein the actions further comprise:identifying one or more boundaries of the physical object from thedigital image; and distinguishing a reference object from the physicalobject, wherein both the reference object and the physical object areincluded in the digital image, and wherein the reference object has aknown size.
 17. The computer program product of claim 16 wherein theactions further comprise: identifying a reference image size of thereference object in the digital image; and extrapolating an image scalebased on the identified reference image size and the known size of thereference object.
 18. The computer program product of claim 17 whereinthe actions further comprise: identifying an object image size of thephysical object in the digital image; and determining the actual size ofthe physical object based on the extrapolated image scale and the objectimage size.
 19. The computer program product of claim 18 wherein theactions further comprise: identifying a set of object metadatapertaining to the physical object; comparing the identified set ofobject metadata to a plurality of sets of object class metadata;identifying an object class of the physical object based on thecomparing; identifying one or more compatible object types based on theidentified object class; and identifying the compatible physical objectsfrom a set of product objects belonging to the compatible object typesand based on the actual size of the physical object.
 20. The computerprogram product of claim 15 wherein the actions further comprise:generating a search criteria based on a selected one of the compatiblephysical objects; searching a data store that includes identifiers of aplurality of component products, wherein the searching utilizes thesearch criteria and results in a selected set of one or more of theplurality of component products that are adapted to work with thephysical object; displaying the selected set of component products tothe user; receiving a purchase selection of one of the displayedcomponent products from the user; and ordering the displayed componentproduct corresponding to the received purchase selection from a selectedonline merchant.